Scrap metal thieves thrive in Sea Cow Lake and Kenville
Thieves have targeted manhole covers, gates, taps, water meters and other items that could be sold for scrap.
FOR the last few months, the areas of Sea Cow Lake and Kenville have been grappling with an increase in incidences of metal theft.
Jesse Singh, chairman of the Kenville/Sea Cow Lake Ratepayers’ Association said cases of metal theft were a major and ongoing concern.
Singh said thieves target manhole covers, gates, taps, water meters and other items that could be sold for scrap.
He added the problem was further exacerbated by the illegal scrap industry.
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“There is definitely an illegal market. Some dealers are only operating with a hawker license and not a license to trade as a scrap metal dealer. We’ve certainly seen an increase in theft of anything metal. I’ve even seen this on my road where my neighbour has had several break-ins where the scrap thieves steal copper pipes and water metre pipes.”
“Basically anything that is metal and can be sold, is up for grabs. Homes are being vandalised and infrastructure is being destroyed. Copper cable theft is rife in the area and it has to stop. We even had footage of items being stolen in the area,” he said.
Singh said the ratepayers association as well as the CPF had recently engaged with the station commander of the Greenwood Park police station.
“On two occasions the association as well as concerned residents had planned on marching through the area to show our discontent. However, the marches have been put on hold after positive engagement with the Greenwood Park SAPS. They have given us their assurance they will be paying closer attention to these thefts and are clamping down on those operating illegally,” he said.
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